“We’re all in this together.” One of the most over-used phrases by politicians signaling that someone’s ox is about to be gored.

I read Chamber President Scott Soldat-Valenzuela’s opinion column in the March 2 Times, and although I appreciate his enthusiasm and support of the Chamber’s long-time event (that is his job after all), I respectfully disagree with his assessment.

He cites the dedicated staff, the benefits of special events and the important economic advantages the fair provides to the town (but just since November 2015!). He also speaks of the challenges it creates for some businesses because “people may inadvertently park where they should not or possibly block your regular customers from conveniently entering your company’s office” as a “big hullaballoo.”

In the same edition, John Thompson’s letter describes a slightly different view of “The Great Flea Market” that the Chamber sponsors.

As a Fountain Hills business owner for 25 years, it is not just “inconvenient,” not just an “annoyance,” for my clients to access my business on the Avenue, it’s impossible.

When people ignore signage and move traffic cones in order to park in spaces reserved for local business customers, it’s not “inadvertent;” it’s purposeful, and the Chamber provides no oversight, security or enforcement of rules established by its own signs.

Fifteen years ago the suggestion was made to the Chamber to embrace local businesses with inclusion. Instead of placing tents in front of the businesses, it was suggested they could open a line of sight to include local businesses that stay open for the fair. That was 15 years ago, plenty of time to devise a compromise by the event coordinators. Instead, the Chamber would rather we just be “inconvenienced.”

I guess we really aren’t all in this together!